Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has issued an urgent warning to fans over an online imposter. The 53-year-old actor, best known for his role as Marlon Dingle on the long running ITV soap, has taken to social media to address his concerns.
Mark, who is currently in the midst of one of his biggest storylines to date, has taken to Twitter to warn fans of somebody pretending to be him on Facebook confirming that he does not use the social media site.
In a post shared to his 187.7k followers last week Mark encouraged fans to be wary of fake profiles and if they come across one they should report and block it as it is not him.
READ MORE: Ex-Emmerdale star Catherine Tyldesley's baby girl's name is sweet nod to former role
The post read: "Sigh. So apparently some …person…on Facebook is pretending to be me. I’m not on Facebook.
"If you’ve been followed on there by someone claiming to be me, please block and report them.
"What motivates these people? And why would they pretend to be ME? I certainly wouldn’t. Please RT."
Mark updated fans on the situation on Sunday noting they were "still going strong", the popular soap star tweeted: "Sounds like this individual pretending to be me on Facebook is still going strong.
"Many thanks to those who’ve reported them. Just to reiterate, if you are following me on Facebook…you aren’t. Please avoid them. Fanks! Xx."
Mark Charnock has portrayed the role of Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale since 1996, the character has been married three times, first to Tricia Fisher, then to Donna Windsor and then Laurel Thomas.
And he was about to take his current relationship with Rhona Goskirk to the next level earlier this year when his alter ego suffered from a life-changing stroke in devastating scenes.
The recovery process has been a difficult one after Marlon recently ended up back in hospital after contracting pneumonia.
The actor Mark was left “overwhelmed” by the fan reaction, the scene received thousands of comments and some fans even reached out to the actor after the “powerful” scene.
Many Emmerdale fans praised the actor for his accurate portrayal, with people opening up about how a stroke has impacted their life, a friend, or families.
Mark was “moved” by the amount of reaction he received and went to Twitter and said: “It’s hard to know what to say to you all, other than I’m genuinely overwhelmed.
“Thank you for all your messages. It’s been so very moving to read. ALL credit is due to the astonishing #Emmerdale team, the @TheStrokeAssoc & the clinicians & survivors who’ve advised us. Thank you all.X”
Read next:
